♥ info ♥

Monday, October 10, 2011

Etsy Experience: You have Convo! from both homes

Maybe You've got Mail dates me...

I'm okay with that.

Last month, my nephew Zandon turned 1 year old and we'd decided building blocks would be great for a little one learning to move around more expertly. My William has a lot of fun with Legos, but his first building toys were a wooden set I found with wooden Thomas the Tank Engine trains and matching rails. I spent a small fortune at craft fairs and a train dealer shops for the wooden pieces. (I don't think they make Thomas and Friends in wood at all anymore.)

So I found myself on Etsy searching away for a good deal, a good owner, and a good product. I sent out four convos to four artists and, even to this day, I only received 1 reply- one. Coincidentally, he was the only shop who had a very complete profile of information about himself and his products. I think we had a wonderful little chit-chat and I enjoyed getting my very simple answers. I felt good about our transaction and I hope he felt good about my excitement.

It was very interesting as I look back on it. I'm sure those three other artists have had sales since I asked my questions. I just don't understand, then, where I went wrong.

Two of my recent customers started out as purely conversations in my message inbox. I guess it was just fate that both buyers come from places I consider close to me- Chicago and Connecticut. A part of me already wanted to connect with these people and I hope my work continues with them.

Each had their own reasons for wanting to step into the shoes of aquatic gardener. One managed to hold her husband back from deleting her Etsy account, pleading her sanity was intact. Both worried about finding so many international options, wondering about customs, shipping costs, and damage to the plants. They are living colonies of algae, after all. I enjoyed hearing their enthusiasm about options I could offer and budget tailoring. My tanks are lined with these amazingly plush families of "sea weed." I never knew so many also share my fascination for them as well.

Truly, I couldn't have asked for better opening sales to my newest product "line." Shipping has gone very well and I feel more confident about introducing more and producing more of my Marimo Moss balls. My luck with these has been great over the years of apartment living. I've enjoyed growing them, and they greatly out number my fish friends.

If you'd like to know more about my Marimo Moss ball garden or work on a custom order within a budget: Click Here!

If you would like to chat about farming, growing, Etsy, or fair value supplies- Contact me on Etsy or via Email

I think my theme for this Holiday season will be Marimo Green and Maroon.

the Facia

Artemia Cain is the youngest child of Holden and Constance, born 2009.
The name artCain is used as the family geocaching tag when it was created in 2010.
Homestead naming was a toss-up between ArtCain Farm and Cajun Rice Farm. The latter a reflection of our family's cultural diversity.

Front Page News

Garden Feedback

danielavelasco1 says: Oh my gosh! Great person to deal with very friendly and attentive to my needs and always quick to answer any questions I had. I loved the little Marimos and they look great and got here super fast. I look forward to doing more business with you in the near future =D

NippersinkCreek says: The "quads" arrived today, and are settling in nicely! This seller is extra special. I wholeheartedly recommend to all here on Etsy! Five Stars!!

LizzieLuna says: This is quite possibly the best $8.95 I have ever spent. ~ I'm even going to say this is the cutest thing I have ever seen. The cork that fits in the LIVE sign.. Fabulous... It should have been triple the price. I LOVE it... thanks.